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Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
Elton7688.jpg
Sleeve for 1986–87 live version charity single
Single by Elton John
from the album Caribou
B-side "Sick City"
Released 20 May 1974
Format
Recorded Caribou Ranch, January 1974
Genre Soft rock
Length 5:35
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Gus Dudgeon
Elton John singles chronology
"Bennie and the Jets"
(1974)
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
(1974)
"The Bitch Is Back"
(1974)
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
DLTSGDOM - George Michael - Elton John.jpg
Single by George Michael and Elton John
from the album Duets
Released 30 November 1991
Format
Recorded Wembley Arena, London, 23 March 1991
Genre
Length 5:47
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) George Michael
George Michael chronology
"Cowboys and Angels"
(1991)
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
(1991)
"Too Funky"
(1992)
Elton John chronology
"Easier to Walk Away"
(1990)
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
(1991)
"The One"
(1992)

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is a song written by English singer Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. It was originally recorded in 1974 by Elton John for his studio album Caribou and was released as a single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. The song found further success in 1991 in a live cover version recorded as a duet between John and George Michael, which reached number one in the UK and US.

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" was co-written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin during a ten-day period in January 1974 along with the other songs for John's Caribou album. The song was released as the first single from the album in May 1974 in the United Kingdom, and on 10 June 1974 in the United States.

The chorus of the song is supported with a horn arrangement by Del Newman, and features backing vocals by Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys, Bruce Johnston, and Toni Tennille. Also on the song are percussion accents provided by Ray Cooper and a mellotron played by Dave Hentschel.

In the song, Elton John sings to someone he has helped and from whom he is now experiencing rejection:

I took a chance and changed your way of life
but you misread my meaning when I met you
closed the door and left me blinded by the light
don't let the sun go down on me
although I search myself, it's always someone else I see.
I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
but losing everything is like the sun going down on me.

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" charted on 1 June 1974 in the UK, reaching number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. The song reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after four weeks, peaking at number two for two weeks from 27 July behind John Denver's "Annie's Song". In the US, the single was certified Gold on 6 September 1974 by the RIAA. In Canada, it reached number one, becoming his fifth chart topper in that country.


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